While Anthony Mackie might not be a household name just yet, should his star continue to rise, it won’t be long before that happens. The talented actor broke through with “The Hurt Locker,” but savvy filmgoers already knew he was something special if they caught him in “8 Mile” or “Half Nelson.” Since then, he’s become one of those actors who elevates a film by his mere presence (he’s pretty much the only thing worth watching in “Real Steel“) and it’s no suprise he’s getting snapped up for films left and right. With “Ten Year,” “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” and “Gangster Squad” on the way this year, Mackie has added another gig to his plate.

Michael Bay has signed the actor to his non-robots crime caper “Pain And Gain.” Mackie joins a pretty solid cast of Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Ed Harris and Rob Corddry, in the based-on-a-true-story tale about a couple of Floridian bodybuilders (Johnson and Wahlberg) who kidnap, rob and leave for dead a wealthy businessman. But their plans take a twist when their victim survives and hires a P.I. (Hatrris) to help him exact revenge. Corddry will play John Mese, an ex-bodybuilder-turned-accountant and notary who now runs the gym where Wahlberg’s character works, and unwillingly gets caught up in his scheme. Mackie will play a bodybuilder and workout partner of Wahlberg’s character Adrian Doorbal, who has little to show for his time in the gym and decides to get involved with the twisted plan. Still no word on John Turturro‘s rumored participation, though we’d guess that if he does join, he’s going to be the businessman. And if so, this film is very promising.

Production is gearing up with a shoot planned for the spring. No release date yet. [Variety]